Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
32. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken to his counterparts in the EU on the situation in regard to China and Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19868/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am in regular contact with my EU counterparts on matters of foreign policy significance, including in relation to tensions in the Taiwan Strait. On 24 April, the Foreign Affairs Council reviewed recent developments in EU-China relations and visits there by EU political leaders. As the EU and China re-engage in high-level contacts following China's post Covid re-opening, there are more opportunities to discuss regional stability and the importance of the Taiwan Strait, including to global trade flows.
Ireland, and our EU partners have been clear that the maintenance of stability and the status quo is critical. Any escalation or confrontation is deeply concerning. We support peaceful resolution of tensions in the Strait and reject the use of force. I endorse the recent statement by President Von der Leyen that any weakening of regional stability in Asia would affect global security and the free flow of trade.
Ireland, along with the EU, adheres to the One China Policy. This means that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and that we recognise the People’s Republic of China as the legal representative of China. This does not preclude the development of economic, cultural and broader people to people connections with Taiwan. The European Union is represented in Taiwan by the European Economic and Trade Office. This Office represents all EU Member States, including Ireland, and seeks to strengthen economic and trade relations with Taiwan. There has been a Taipei Representative Office in Dublin since 1988.
Ireland has also continued to engage in people-to-people exchanges with Taiwan. As of 2013, Taiwan residents are eligible to apply to participate in Ireland’s Working Holiday Programme. Each year, this programme gives some 400 Taiwanese residents the opportunity to come to live and work in Ireland.
